2025-10-27 Wrap-Up CMBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
October 27, 2025
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, Meja Handlen, David Bailey, Angie Hodge, Kirsten Wecker, Mindy Brooks, Grace
Jimenez, Jeremy Mannikko, Gabe Anzelini, Alex Murray, Goeff Soderquist, Caroline Garibay, Jeff
Landrum, Kristine Ward, Kimberline Anderson, Marylynne Kostick, Natalie Kamieniecki, Sherri Dokken,
Vanessa Ruelas, Liz Hill, Fionna Velazquez, Graham Gowing
Guest(s): Todd Chaput, Dennis Riebe, Tina Moore, Gretchen Fritsch, several unnamed guests
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Executive session: At 9:02 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:07 a.m. to discuss the Ziontz tort claim.
Executive session ended at 9:07 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made.
Short-term rental permits: Mindy Brooks reviewed the proposed permit process for short-term rentals.
The commissioners said they would like to further review the process and discuss it again Oct. 29.
Roads cash flow: Geoff Soderquist said Roads faces a roughly $5 million budget gap. He said it is being
addressed using $1.9 million that is being returned from ER and R due to overpayments and that he will
recommend the Solid Waste Disposal District approve a $3 million cash-flow loan to Roads to address
the remaining portion.
Boundary Review Board (BRB): Mindy Brooks recommended the commissioners consider disbanding
the BRB after completion of the Chehalis annexation, should that annexation move forward. The
commissioners directed Mindy to proceed with a December resolution that would disband the BRB, with
the disbandment postponed until after completion of the Chehalis annexation, should it move forward.
Storage array update: Gabe Anzelini outlined options to meet the county’s data storage needs. Gabe
said a six-year contract would provide savings, with the cost estimated at $750,000, while a three-year
contract would be roughly $340,000. He recommended going with the six-year contract. Becky Butler
outlined potential funding sources.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to use Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF)
funding to move forward with a six-year contract for data storage. Commissioner Brummer seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
RFP for Coordinated Entry Services: Meja Handlen reviewed a proposed RFP for Coordinated Entry
Services. The commissioners directed her to move forward with the RFP.
Broadband project update: Becky Butler said troubles with permitting for broadband work along the
railroad has forced the need for a workaround that has delayed completion of the broadband project.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to extend the broadband contract to Nov. 21, 2025.
Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Southwest Washington Fair budget: Becky Butler outlined corrections needed for the 2025 fair budget.
She said premium funds were inadvertently moved to a different fund and that extra help costs were
significantly higher than estimated. Becky said the Fair will need to use $90,000 from its fund balance to
plug the budget gap.
Health and welfare benefits for non-represented employees: Angie Hodge outlined HR’s
recommendations regarding 2026 employer contributions for non-represented employees.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to establish 2026 monthly employer contributions for health
and welfare benefits for non-represented employees as follows:
• $970 employee only
• $1,440 employee and spouse
• $1,440 employee and child(ren)
• $1,790 full family
Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to also move forward with the 2026 employer contributions for
the health savings account and life insurance rates for non-represented employees as outlined in the
memo. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Nov. 12 biomass conference: All three commissioners said they will attend Economic Alliance’s biomass
conference. Commissioner Pollock and Commissioner Brummer noted they may arrive late due to
previous engagements.
Meeting adjourned at 9:54 a.m.